Brady fires Hull to victory

28 Sep 2013 19:47:00

Robbie Brady's fourth goal of the season handed Hull a deserved 1-0 victory over West Ham as Steve Bruce's side made it back-to-back wins in the Barclays Premier League.

Brady, who is fast becoming the breakout star of the Tigers' campaign, won and converted a penalty in the 12th minute at the KC Stadium and that proved enough for Hull to follow their 3-2 success at Newcastle with another triumph.

Jake Livermore almost made the game safe in the second half when his shot beat Jussi Jaaskelainen but clattered the foot of the post as the hosts settled for the three points.

West Ham had a penalty appeal for handball against Livermore waved away and also saw Ahmed Elmohamady block James Tomkins' header on the line, but were equally undone by a chronic lack of cutting edge up front.

The combined efforts of Modibo Maiga and Mladen Petric in attack saw the injured Andy Carroll's stock rise exponentially such was their toothlessness.

For Bruce's Hull the battle for top-flight survival is well ahead of schedule, with Tom Huddlestone impressing again in the centre of the park and strong showings from Brady and Elmohamady.

Abdoulaye Faye, making his first appearance of the season for the injured James Chester, was also in reassuring form against the side who let him go upon their own promotion to the Premier League.

West Ham were almost gifted an early opening when Liam Rosenior's weak back pass needed swift attention from goalkeeper Allan McGregor, but otherwise Hull started comfortably.

Rosenior and Elmohamady, pushed into midfield for the first time this season, were looking good down the right and after a couple of forays West Ham cracked.

Elmohamady floated a cross from wide right in the direction of Brady, who was felled unnecessarily by Joey O'Brien.